Country Singer, Yodeler, Songwriter, Guitarist. The younger brother of musician Cliff Carlisle. During the 1930s he established himself as a blues singer, and in the 1950s as a member of 'the Carlisles.' In 1933 he joined the ARC Record Label and released his first single, "Rattlesnake Daddy." In the late 1930s he signed with the Decca Record Label, and released, "Copperhead Mama" and "Jerkin Blues." Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he worked for several radio stations based in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. In 1946 he released the hit, "Rainbow At Midnight" with brother Cliff. In 1950 Cliff retired and Bill had a hit with, "Tramp On The Street." Also that year he organized the 'Carlisles' and went to Knoxville to work for Chet Atkins and others. During that time he became known as 'Hot Shot Elmer,' a character he created in the 1940s. During the 1950s he signed with the Mercury Record Label, and recorded the songs, "Too Old To Cut The Mustard," "No Help Wanted," and "Taint Nice (To Talk Like That)," most of which were Top Ten hits. In 1953 he joined the Grand Ole Opry, and in the 1960s, after adding his children to the 'Carlisles' they also joined the Grand Ole Opry in the 1960s. In 1965 they had a hit with, "What Kind Of Deal Is This." He continued to entertain up throughout the 1990s.
Country Singer, Yodeler, Songwriter, Guitarist. The younger brother of musician Cliff Carlisle. During the 1930s he established himself as a blues singer, and in the 1950s as a member of 'the Carlisles.' In 1933 he joined the ARC Record Label and released his first single, "Rattlesnake Daddy." In the late 1930s he signed with the Decca Record Label, and released, "Copperhead Mama" and "Jerkin Blues." Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he worked for several radio stations based in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. In 1946 he released the hit, "Rainbow At Midnight" with brother Cliff. In 1950 Cliff retired and Bill had a hit with, "Tramp On The Street." Also that year he organized the 'Carlisles' and went to Knoxville to work for Chet Atkins and others. During that time he became known as 'Hot Shot Elmer,' a character he created in the 1940s. During the 1950s he signed with the Mercury Record Label, and recorded the songs, "Too Old To Cut The Mustard," "No Help Wanted," and "Taint Nice (To Talk Like That)," most of which were Top Ten hits. In 1953 he joined the Grand Ole Opry, and in the 1960s, after adding his children to the 'Carlisles' they also joined the Grand Ole Opry in the 1960s. In 1965 they had a hit with, "What Kind Of Deal Is This." He continued to entertain up throughout the 1990s.
Family Members
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